Cathedral undergoing $4.6m face-lift

Century-old landmark church represents living history of European architecture in Shanghai

St. Ignatius Cathedral of Shanghai, once known as the grandest church in the Far East, is undergoing a major face-lift, displacing its parishioners during the upcoming celebration of Christmas.

Also called Xujiahui Cathedral, the landmark has a century-old history and is showing its age. It has literally been falling apart in recent years, even as it played host to thousands of worshiping Catholics and tourists.